2017/18 report - The State of Child Health in East Sussex

The new 2017/18 Director of Public Health Annual Report, The State of Child Health in East Sussex, reproduces The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) 2017 landmark report, The State of Child Health Report.

The RCPCH reportpresented the national state of child healthbut the Director of Public Health Annual Report presents that for East Sussex. It presents data at an East Sussex, district and borough local authority and CCG level and makes comparisons to national data and to trend data where these are available. In some places, where it is useful, it also includes some additional measures.

The report comprises six chapters:

Chapter 1 examines mortality in infants under 1 year, children aged 1-9 years and young people aged 10-19 years.

Chapter 2 outlines issues relating to conception, pregnancy and infancy with a focus on smoking and pregnancy, breastfeeding and immunisation.

Early years are picked up in Chapter 3, including healthy weight when starting school, healthy teeth and gums, hospital admissions due to injury and school readiness.

Chapter 4 covers topics within school age and adolescence and includes healthy weight at Year 6, HPV vaccination, smoking in young people, alcohol and drug use, wellbeing, mental health, self-harm, suicide, road traffic injuries, sexual and reproductive health, school absences and exclusions and those children who are not in employment, education or training.

Family and social environment are picked up in Chapter 5, including child poverty, family key work, the child protection system and looked after children.

The report makes only one recommendation and that is to continue to implement the key actions agreed by partners as outlined in each chapter, and in doing so ensure a focus on prevention, as almost all poor outcomes are preventable, and on reducing inequalities, as the majority of poor outcomes have a relationship to deprivation.

Should your team/organisation like to receive a presentation and discussion on this report, please contact Tracey Houston on 01273 481932 or email tracey.houston@eastsussex.gov.uk to make arrangements.